Maccabi Netanya Eyes Foreign Defender Ahead of Season Start After Toto Cup Win

Maccabi Netanya continues to pursue its ambitions after a 2-0 victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva on August 5, keeping their hopes alive for a Toto Cup semi-final spot. The team now depends on the outcome of the upcoming match between Maccabi Petah Tikva and Hapoel Ramat Gan, where a win or draw for Maccabi Petah Tikva would secure Netanya's advancement. Coach Ronny Levy rotated his lineup to manage player fatigue ahead of the league opener, giving opportunities to players like Maziz Otara and Isaac Chibango, the latter impressing as a trialist.

Levy is actively working to sign a foreign central defender before the league begins. The club will not obstruct Karam Jaber, who is currently facing a reduced role, from exploring other offers through his agent Dudu Dahan, although no formal proposals have been received yet. Meanwhile, Itay Ben Shabat has been offered to Hapoel Petah Tikva and Hapoel Jerusalem after being excluded from Netanya's squad, but unlike Willian Cipriani, he attended the team's recent match to support his teammates, earning praise from the club for his professionalism.

Defender Alon Azugi, recovering from a shoulder subluxation, is expected to return to full training soon and be available for upcoming matches. The club is not concerned about recent interrogations of several staff members related to the intravenous treatment investigation, as club doctor Ahmad Biadasa demonstrated that Netanya followed approved medical protocols. Investigators confirmed that unlike the situation in Tiberias, Netanya operated with full compliance and proper documentation, including fluid administration records adhering to regulations.